Metallic hearth-plate for fireplaces.



Patented Dec. 3l, IQUI. I W. L. DENNIS.

METALLIC HEARTH PLATE FDR FIREPLACES.

(Application led J'anA 23, 1901.)

(No Modem' S9532 Senco 332.52326 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM LUKE DENNIS, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

METALLIC HEARTH-PLATE FOR FIREPLACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 689,952, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed January 23, 1901.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LUKE DENNIS, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resident of 224 Mary street, Balsall Heath, in the city of Birmingham, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements Relating to Metallic Hearth- Plates for Domestic Fireplaces, (for which I have filed an application in Great Britain, No. 11,543, bearing date June 26, 1900,) of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention consists of improvements, as hereinafter described, relating to ornamental metallic hearth-plates for domestic fireplaces.

0n the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings, to be hereinafter referred to, Figure 1 is an elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan, showing one of my improved hearth-plates. Fig. 3 is a plan of one of my improved plates as formed for the production of a combined hearth-plate and curb. Fig. 4 is a plan, and Fig. 5 a sectional elevation on the line l 2, Fig. 4, of a combined hearth-plate and curb formed from the plate shown at Fig. 2.

The same reference-letters in the different views indicate the same or similar parts.

I produce my hearth-plates, preferably,from mild-steel sheets or strips, upon which I enamel the required ornamental design, either ii gu red or plain,and in one or more colors. The ornamental plate can be made to extend over the entire surface of the hearth and beneath the iire bars or grate, or instead of enameling the entire surface I sometimes partially emboss and partially enamel the plate, or I emboss the entire surface. To insulate the floor-boards, carpet, or other material from the heat of the plate which may extend over it or a portion of it and to deaden the sound produced by movement of the lire-irons or like articles upon the plaie, I attach to the under side of it a pad, as A, of asbestos or other non-conducting material. By the use of such a pad I am enabled to safely extend the ornamental hearth-plate over the carpet and beyond the limits of the ordinary hearth stone or bed.

The mild-steel sheets or strips for the hearthplates are cut or formed to the approximate dimensions of the hearths of ordinary lireplaces; but to enable them to be readily cut or formed to the exact dimensions and shape of a hearth I closely perforate the metal at Serial No. 44,420. (No model.)

or near the edges of the angles B, so that it may be readily cut or shaped Without cracking or damaging the enamel, which is subsequently applied to the face or surface of the plate. Thus I may cut away the metal at the angles B to the form illustrated by the dotted lines a b c d e, Fig. 2, or to any other form or pattern that may be required. It will be un= derstood that the metal at the angle B to the left hand at Fig. 2 is closely perforated to the extent shown at the other angles B in the figures.

To adapt the one hearth-plate for use with differently colored or decorated rooms, I make it reversible by enameling or ornamenting it on both sides, each side having any desired design or pattern depicted thereon in such color or colors as will blend or harmonize with the coloring or decoration of the room in which it is used. Thus the one plate can be made to represent two distinct tiled hearths dier'- ing in pattern or design and in coloring.

The hearth-plate can, if required, be attached to a fender or curb by small bolts and nuts or other fastening devices. In making my hearth-plate as a part of atender or curb C, such as is shown at Figs. 4 and 5, I make the plate with sides extended beyond the dot'- ted lines shown at Fig. 3 (and which indicate the boundary of the hearth-plate proper) and shaped to the development of the curb, as illustrated, and so that on pressing up the extended portions to the trough-like shape illustrated at Fig. 5 they will closely abut at the angles D, as shown at Fig. 4. Curbs of othel sections can be formed in a similar manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A hearth-plate,- consisting of a metallic sheet having a reduced rear portion with reticulated or gauze-like corners, and an enameled face covering the entire exposed surface of the sheet, and covering the apertures in said gauze-like portion, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of tWo Witnesses.

WILLIAM LUKE DENNIS.-

Witnesses EDWARD MARKS, HERBERT BOWKETT. 

